Svabhavashuci, Svabhāvāśuci, Svabhava-ashuci: 1 definition
Introduction:
Svabhavashuci means something in Buddhism, Pali. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
The Sanskrit term Svabhāvāśuci can be transliterated into English as Svabhavasuci or Svabhavashuci, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
Alternative spellings of this word include Svabhavashuchi.
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita SastraSvabhāvāśuci (स्वभावाशुचि) or simply Svabhāva refers to the “impurity of intrinsic nature” and represents one of the five “impurities of the body” (kāyāśuci), contemplating on which, the Yogin can obtain the four “foundations of mindfulness” (smṛtyupasthāna), forming part of the thirty-seven auxiliaries to enlightenment (bodhipākṣika), according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter XXXI.
Accordingly, the impurity of Svabhāva is described as follows: “from head to toe and on all four sides, the body is a lowly rag. Everything in it is full of impurities. Decorate it with garments, bathe it with perfumed water, nourish it with the best dishes and food of many flavors, at the end of one night all of it will be impure. Even if that you clothe it in celestial garments and feed it with celestial food, because of the body itself, all of it will become impure. Then what can be said if you give it only human garments and human clothes?... That is what is called the impurity of intrinsic nature (svabhāva-aśuci).”.
Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.
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Search found 1 books and stories containing Svabhavashuci, Svabhava-ashuci, Svabhāva-aśuci, Svabhava-asuci, Svabhāvāśuci, Svabhavasuci; (plurals include: Svabhavashucis, ashucis, aśucis, asucis, Svabhāvāśucis, Svabhavasucis). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
E.1: The Four Foundations of Mindfulness (smṛtyupasthāna) < [Abhidharma auxiliaries (E): Detailed study of the auxiliaries]